A NEW call has been made for the GAA to accept cash for entry at all matches, pointing out that Sunday’s Carbery U21A final was cash-only, yet a day before the Cork footballers Allianz League game at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh was a fully cashless event.
Cork were beaten by Cavan at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, while the Carbery clash saw Bantry Blues beat Ibane Gaels at Dunmanway on Sunday.
‘It makes no sense to me that you couldn’t pay with cash on one day, but the next day you couldn’t pay without cash,’ West Cork Senator Tim Lombard said. ‘Many of the same people would have gone to both games.’
A Cork County Board spokesman told The Southern Star that the inter-county policy on cashless entry is set nationally by Croke Park bosses. Decisions on cash or cards for divisional matches are made by the individual GAA divisional boards.
The spokesperson also pointed out that for Cork club championship matches in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, or Páirc Uí Rinn, a facility for cash or card is operated by the board.
Meanwhile, Sen Lombard also expressed disappointment that the GAA is no longer allowing screenshots of tickets to be used at matches. It’s believed that this policy is a security move against scams.
However, Sen Lombard said he has previously purchased tickets and had taken screenshots for them to use. ‘I think it’s hard enough for many people to adapt to using them, without having to use Apple or Google wallet,’ he said.
